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TO THE 



MARQVIS DE CHASTEILUSS. 



CHARLESTON, S. C. 

PRINTED BY C. C. SSBRINS. 

±825. 



MARQirXS DE CHASTEXiLVX. 



A SHORT sketch of the hfe and character 
of a man who obtained the friendship and 
esteem of Washington, cannot fail of being- 
interesting to every admirer of that distin- 
guished friend, and father of his country. 
The Marquis op Chastellux descended 
from an ancient family in Bourgogne. He 
was born in Paris in 1734. In his childhood 
he lost his father, who was a Lieutenant- 
General in the army of France. The Mar- 
quis entered the army at fifteen years of 
age; at twenty-one had the command of a 
regiment, and a short time after had a regi- 
ment of his own name. He served during 
the seven years war in Germany with credit 



to himself and country. But even among 
the busy and boisterous scenes of hostile 
movements, he pursued at every interval his 
favourite literary studies. The activity of 
his mind w^as in a high degree equal to his 
thirst for knowledsfe. A sincere desire to 
be useful to mankind, and firmness to en- 
counter every danger to gratify that desire, 
were among the leading characteristics of 
his life. When the subject of inoculation 
for the small-pox was agitated in France, it 
was difficult to procure a person, who was 
willing to submit to the then untried experi- 
ment in that country. But Chastellux al- 
though a youth offered himself to test its 
utility; and on his recovery, called on a 
friend, and made use of the following noble 
expression: "Here I am safe, and what is 
still more gratifying to me, is, that I shall 
be the cause of saving many others." 

In the year 1780, the Marquis accompa- 
nied the army commanded by Count Koch- 
ambeau to the United States; in which army 
he held the rank of Major-General. In this 
station he never ceased to give proof of his 
activity, knowledge, and firmness; by which 
he not only gained the applause of his King, 
and the American Commander in Chief; but 
even that of their enemies. 



In this service, as the following letters will 
show, he was particularly distinguished by 
that penetrating judge of merit, Washington: 
a sincere friendship took place between 
them, which only ended with their lives. 
The Marquis was taken from the world at 
the time, when the services of such men 
were most needed: when the dark clouds of 
revolutionary fury began to hover over his 
devoted country. But had he lived a short 
time longer, he might, as was the case with 
numerous friends he left behind, have fallen 
a victim to that anarchy, which deluged his 
country with blood. He was a sincere friend 
to rational liberty; but possessed too much 
firmness, and integrity, to have been a silent 
spectator of that licentiousness which under 
the perverted name of liberty, was the most 
horrid of all tyrannies. He died in 1788, 
leaving an amiable and accomplished widow, 
and an infant son, Alfred, who appears to 
possess the active disposition of his father, 
and like him, to pursue the road to useful- 
ness and fame. 

The Marquis held a distinguished rank 
among the literary characters of France; 
and some of his works are esteemed among 
the most valuable productions of the age. 



8 

The letters of which the annexed are 
true copies, were shown me by the widow of 
the Marquis, who permitted me to take co- 
pies of them; and wishing to mukiply the 
chances of preserving them, and not doubt- 
ing that they would be acceptable to the 
Charleston Library Society ^^ they are re- 
spectfully presented by 

WILLIAM WILLIS. 

Charleston, 1808. 



* This edition is copied from those presented to the Charleston 
Library Society. 



XETTERS. 



New Windsor, Jan. 28, 1781. 

DEAR SIR, 

Accept my congratulations on your safe arrival 
at Newport in good health, after traversing so much 
of the American theatre of w^ar. And my thanks 
for your obliging favour of the 12th making mention . 
thereof, and introductory of the Count de Cbartws, ihnill-t^ 
whose agreeable countenance alone is a sufficient 
index to the amiable qualities of his mind, and does 
not fail at first view, to make favourable impressions 
on all who see him. 

He spent a few days with us at Head Quarters, 
and is gone to Philadelphia, accompanied by Count 
de Dillon. I parted with him yesterday at Ring- 
wood, to which place I had repaired to be convenient 
to the suppression of a partial mutiny in the Jersey 
troops at Pompton, who, in imitation of those of 
Pennsylvania, had revolted, and were in a state of 
disobedience to their officers. This business was 
happily effected without bloodshed; two of the prin- 
cipal actors were immediately executed on the spot, 
and due subordination restored before I retiirned. 

I wish I had expression equal to vhy feelings, that 
2 



10 

I might disclose to you, the high sense I have of, 
and the value I set upon your approbation and 
friendship. It will be the wish and happiness of my 
life, to merit a continuation of them; and to assure 
you upon all occasions of my admiration of your 
character and virtues, and of the sentiments of es- 
teem and regard with which I have the honour to be, 
Dear Sir, * 
Your most obedient 

And humble servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



New Windsor, May 7, 1781. 

DEAR SIR, 

Permit me, on this first occasion of writing to 
you, to begin my letter with congratulations on your 
recovered health, and I offer them sincerely. 

Colonel Mernonville put into my hands two days 
since, your favour of the 29th ult. If my inclination 
was seconded by the means, I should not fail to treat 
this gentleman as the friend of ray friend. And if it 
is not in my power to comply with his wishes on 
the score of provisions, I will candidly deal with him 
by communicating the causes. 

I am impressed with too high a sense of the abili- 
ties and candour of the Chevalier Chastellux to con- 
ceive that he is capable of creating false hopes: his 
communication, therefore, of the West-India intelli- 
gence comes with merited force. And I would to 
God it were in my power to make the proper advan- 



11 

tage of it. But if you can recollect a private con- 
versation which I had with you in the Count de 
Rochambeau's chamber, you will be persuaded it 
is not; especially when I add that the want of 
which I then complained, exists in much greater 
force than it did at that time; but such preparations 
as can be made, I will make for the events you al- 
lude to. The candid world, and a well informed 
officer, will expect no more. 

May you participate in those blessings you have 
invoked heaven for me; and may you live to see a 
happy termination of a struggle, which was begun 
and has been continued for the purpose of rescuing 
America from Slavery, and securing to its inhabit- 
ants their indubitable rights, in which you bear u 
conspicuous part, is the ardent wish of, 

Dear Sir, 
Your most obedient, 

And most humble servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



New Windsor, June 13, 1781. 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

I HEAR from the purport of the letter you did me 
the honour to write from Newport on the 9th, that 
my sentiments respecting the Council of War held 
on board the Duke de Burgogne (the 31st of May,) 
have been misconceived, and I shall be very unhappy 
if they receive an interpretation different from the 
true intent and meaning of them. If this is the 



12 

case, it can only be attributed to my not understand- 
ing the business of the Duke de Lauzun perfectly. I 
will rely therefore on your goodness and candour to 
explain and rectify the mistake if any has happened. 

My wishes perfectly coincided with the determi- 
nation of the Board, of War to continue the fleet at 
Rhode Island, provided it could remain there in safe- 
ty with the force required, and did not impede the 
march of the Army towards the North River; but 
when Duke Lauzun informed me, that my opinion 
of the propriety and safety of this measure w^as re- 
quired l)y the board, and that he came hither at the 
particular request of the Counts Rochambeau, and 
de Barras, to obtain it, I was reduced to the pain- 
ful necessity of delivering a sentiment different from 
that of a most respectable Board, or of forfeiting all 
pretensions to candour by the concealment of it. 
Upon this ground it was, I wrote to the Generals to 
the effect I did, and not because I was dissatisfied at 
the alteration of the plan agreed to at Wethersfield. 
My fears for the safety of the fleet, w hich I am now 
persuaded were carried too far, were productive of a 
belief that the Generals when separated might feel 
uneasy at every mysterious preparation of the enemy, 
and occasion a fresh call for militia. This had some 
weight in my determination to give Boston (where 
I was sure no danger could be encountered but that 
of blockade) a preference to Newport, where under 
some circumstances, though not such as were likely 
to happen, something might be enterprized. 

The fleet being at Rhode Island is attended cer- 
tainly with many advantages in the operation propos- 
ed, and I entreat that you and the gentlemen who were 



13 

of opinion that it ought to be risked there for those 
purposes, will be assured that I have a high sense of 
the obligation you meant to confer on America by 
that resolve, and that your zeal to promote the com- 
mon cause and my anxiety for the safety of so valua- 
ble a fleet, were the orihj motive's which gave birth to 
the apparent difference in our opinion. 

I set that value on your friendship and candour, 
and that implicit belief in your attachment to Ameri- 
ca that they are only to be equalled by the sincerity 
with which I have the honour to be, 
Dear Sir, 
Your most obedient 

And obliged humble Servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQmS DE CHASTELLUX. 



/?%18, 1781. 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

You have taken a most effectual method of 
obliging me to accept your cask of Claret, as I find 
by your ingenious manner of stating the case, that I 
shall by a refusal, bring my patriotism into question, 
and incur a suspicion of want of attachment to the 
French nation, and of regard to you, which of all 
things I wish to avoid. 

I will not enter into a discussion of the point of di- 
vinity, as I perceive you are a master of that weapon. 
In short, my dear sir, my only scruple arises from a 
fear of depriving you of an article that you cannot 
conveniently replace in this country. You can only 



14 

relieve me, by promising to partake very often of 
that hilarity, which a glass of good claret seldom 
fails to produce. 

With much truth and affection, 
I am yours, &c. 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



Philadelphia, Jan. 4, 1782. 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

I CANNOT suffer your old acquaintance, Mrs. 
Custis, to proceed to Williamsburg, without taking 
with her a remembrance of my friendship for you. 

I have been detained here by Congress to assist 
in making the necessary arrangements for next cam- 
paign, and am happy to find so favourable a dispo- 
sition in that body to prepare vigorously for it. 
They have resolved to keep up the same number 
of corps as constituted the army of last year; and 
have called upon the states in a pressing manner to 
complete them. Requisitions of money are also 
made, but how far the abilities and inclinations of 
the states, individually, will coincide with the de- 
mands, is more than I am able at this early period 
to inform you. A further pecuniary aid, from your 
generous nation, and a decisive naval force upon this 
coast in the latter end of May, or beginning of June, 
unlimited in its stay and operations, would, unless 
the resources of Great Britain are inexhaustible, or 
she can form powerful alliances, bid fair to finish the 
war in the course of next campaign (if she means 
to prosecute it) with the ruin of that people. The 



15 

first, that is, an aid of money, would enable our 
financier to support the expenses of the war with 
ease and credit, without anticipating or deranging 
those funds which Congress are endeavouring to 
establish, and which will be productive, though they 
are slow in the operation. The second, a naval- 
force superiority, would compel the enemy to draw 
their whole force to a point, which would not only 
be a disgrace to their arms, by the relinquishment of 
posts and states which they affect to have conquered, 
but might eventually be fatal to their army; or by 
attempting to hold them, to be cut off in detail. So 
that in either case the most important good conse- 
quences would result from the measure. 

As you will have received in a more direct chan- 
nel than from me, the news of the surprise and re- 
capture of St. Eustatia by the arms of France, I 
shall only congratulate you on the event, and add, 
that it marks in a striking point of view, the genius 
of the Marquis de Boullin for enterprise and for in- 
trepidity in resources in difficult circumstances: his 
conduct upon this occasion does him infinite honour. 

Amid the numerous friends who would rejoice to 
see you at this place, none (while I stay here) could 
give you a more sincere and cordial welcome than I 
should. Shall I entreat you to present me to the 
circle of your friends in the army around you, with 
all that warmth and attachment of the purest friend- 
ship and regard, 

I have the honour to be, 
Dear Sir, 
Your affectionate humble Servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



16 



Head Quarters at Neivburgh, Aug. 10, 1782- 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

I LOVE and thank you for the sentiments con- 
tained in your letter of the 5th. 1 look forward with 
pleasure to the epocha which will place us conve- 
niently in one camp, as we are congenial in our sen- 
timents. I shall embrace you, when it happens, 
with the warmth of perfect friendship. 

My time during my winter residence in Phila- 
delphia, was unusually (for me) divided between 
parties of pleasure, and parties of business. The 
first, nearly of a sameness at all times and places in 
this infant country, is easily conceived, at least is too 
unimportant for description. The second was only 
diversified with perplexities, and could afford no en- 
tertainment. Convinced of these things myself, and 
knowing that your intelligence w^ith respect to foreign 
affairs was better and more interesting than mine, 
I had no subject to address you upon; thus then do I 
account for my silence. 

My time since I joined the army in this quarter, 
has been occupied principally in providing for, disci- 
plining, and preparing, under many embarrassments, 
the troops for the field. Cramped as we have been 
and still are for the want of money, every thing 
moves slowly, but as this is no new case, I am not 
discouraged by it. 

The enemy talk loudly and confidentially of peace, 
but whether they are in earnest, or whether it is to 
amuse, and while away the time till they can pre- 
pare for more vigorous prosecution of the war, time 
will evince. Certain it is the refugees at New- 



17 

York are violently convulsed, by a letter which ere 
this you w^ill have seen published, from JSir Guy 
Charleton and Admiral Digby to me, upon the sub- 
jeer of a general pacification and acknowldgement 
of the independence of this country. Adieu, my dear 
Chevalier. A sincere esteem and regard, bids me 
assure you, that with sentiments of pure affection 
I am yours, &c. 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



Newburgh, December I A^, 1782. 
My dear chevalier, 

I FELT too much to express any thing, the day 
I parted with you. A sense of your public services 
to this country, and gratitude for your private friend- 
ship, quite overcame me at the moment of our sepa- 
ration. But I should be wanting to the feelings of 
my heart, and should do violence to my inclination, 
was I to suffer you to leave this country without the 
warmest assurances of an affectionate regard for 
your person and character. 

Our good friend, the Marquis de la Fayette, per- 
pared me (long before I had the honour to see you) 
for those impressions of esteem, which opportunities, 
and your benevolent mind have since improved into 
a deep and lasting friendship — a friendship which 
time nor distance can ever eradicate. 

I can truly say, never in my life did I ever part with 
a man to whom my soul clave more sincerely than it 
did to you. My warmest wishes will attend you in 

3 



18 

your voyage across the Atlantic, to the rewards of a 
generous j)rince, the arms of affectionate friends, and 
be assured that it will be one of my highest gratifica- 
tions, to keep a regular intercourse with you by let- 
ter. I regret exceedingly that circumstances should 
withdraw you from this country before the accom- 
plishment of that independence and peace which the 
arms of our good ally have assisted in placing before 
us in such an agreeable point of view. Nothing 
would give me more pleasure than to accompany 
you after the war, in a tour through the great conti- 
nent of North America, in search of the natural cu- 
riosities with which it abounds, and to view at the 
same time the foundation of a rising empire. 
I have the honour to be, 

With sentiments of the 
Most perfect esteem and regard. 
Dear Sir, 
Your most obedient, 

Humble servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTOiN. 

P. S. Permit me trouble you with the enclosed 
letter to the Marquis de la Fayette. 

G. W, 
CHEVALIER DE CHASTELLUX. 



19 



Head Quarters^ Neivbiirgh, May 10, 1783. 

lynr DEAR CHEVALIER, 

The affectionate expressions in your farewell 
letter of the 8th January from Annapolis, gave a 
new spring to the pleasing remembrance of our past 
intimacy, and your letter of the 4th of March, from 
Paris, has convinced me, that time nor distance can 
eradicate the seeds of friendship when they have 
taken root in a good soil, and are nurtured by phi- 
lanthrophy and benevolence; that I value your es- 
teem, and wish to retain a place in your affections, 
are truths of which I hope you are convinced, as I 
wish you to be of my sincerity when I assure you 
that it is among the first wishes of my heart to pay 
that tribute of respect to your nation, to which 
I am prompted by motives of public consideration 
and private friendship; but however far it may be in 
my power to yield a prompt obedience to my incli- 
nation, is more than I can decide upon at present. 

You have, my dear Chevalier, placed before my 
eyes, the exposed situation of my seat on the Poto- 
mac, and warned me of the danger which is to be 
apprehended from a surprise, but as I have an entire 
confidence in, and an affection for your countrymen, 
I shall bid defiance to the enterprise, under a full 
persuasion, that if success should attend it, and I 
cannot make terms for my releasferaent, I shall be 
generously treated by my captors, and there is such 
a thing as a pleasing captivity. 

At present both armies remain in the same situation 
you left them, except that all hostilities have ceased 
in this quarter, and things have put on a more tran- 



20 

quil appearance than heretofore. We look forward 
with anxious expectation for the definitive treaty to 
remove the doubts and difficuties which prevail at 
present, and to rid our country of our newly acquired 
friends at New-York, and other places within these 
states, of whose company we are heartily tired. 

Sir Guy, with whom I have had a meeting at 
Dobb's Ferry, for the purpose of ascertaining the 
epoch of this event, could give me no definitive 
answer, but general assurances that he was taking 
every preparatory measure for it. One of which 
was, that a few days previous to the interview, he 
had shipped off for Nova Scotia, upwards of six 
thousand refugees or loyalists, who, apprehending 
they would not be received as citizens of the Uni- 
ted States, he thought it his best duty to remove, 
previous to the evacuation of the city by the king's 
troops. 

The Indians have commenced hostilities on the 
frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia, killing and 
scalping whole families, who had just returned 
to the habitations from which they had fled, in 
expectation of enjoying them in peace. These peo- 
ple will be troublesome neighbours to us, unless 
they can be removed to a much greater distance, and 
this is only to be done by purchase or conquest; which 
of the two will be adopted by Congress, I know not. 
The first 1 believe would be chenpest, and perhaps 
most consistent with justice. The latter most ef- 
fectual. 

Mrs. Washington is very sensible of your remem- 
brance of her, and presents her best respects to you, 
in which all the gentlemen of my family, who are 



21 

with me, cordially and sincerely join. Tilghman, 
I expect, has before this entered into the matrimonial 
state with a cousin of his, whom you may have seen 
at Mr. Carroll's near Baltimore. My best wishes 
attend Baron Montesquen, and such other gentlemen 
within your circle as I have the honour to be ac- 
quainted with. I can only repeat to you assurances of 
the most perfect friendship and attachment, and that 
I am, my dear Chevalier, 
Your most obedient 

And most affectionate Servant, 
(Signed,) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS CHASTELLUX. 



Princeton^ October 12, 1783. 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

I HAVE not had the honour of a letter from you 
since the 4th of March last; but I will ascribe my 
disappointment to any cause sooner than to a decay 
of your friendship. 

Having the appearances, and indeed the enjoy- 
ment of peace without the final declaration of it, I 
who am only waiting for the ceremonials, or till the 
. British forces shall have taken their leave of New- 
York, am held in an awkward and disagreeable situ- 
ation, being anxiously desirous to quit the walks of 
public life, and under my own vine, and my own 
fig-tree, to seek those enjoyments and that relaxa- 
tion, which a mind that has been constantly on the 
stretch for more than eight years, stands so much in 
want of I have fixed this epoch to the arrival of 



the definitive treaty, or to the evacuation of my 
country by our newly acquired friends. In the mean 
while, at the request of Congress, I spend my time 
with them at this place, where they came in conse- 
quence of the riots at Philadelphia, of which doubt- 
less you have been informed, for it is not a very re- 
cent transaction. 

They have lately determined to fix the permanent 
residence of Congress near the falls of the Delaware, 
but where they will hold their sessions, till they can 
be properly established at that place, is yet unde- 
cided. 

I have lately made a tour through the Lakes 
George and Champlain, as far as the Crown Point: 
then returning to Schenectady, I proceeded up the 
Mowhawk river to Fort Schyler, (formerly Fort 
Stanwix,) crossed over the Wood Creek, which 
empties into the Oneida Lake, and affords the water 
communication with Ontario. I then traversed the 
country to the head of the Eastern Branch of the 
Susquehannah, and viewed the Lake Otsego, and 
the Portage between that Lake and the Mowhawk 
river at Carajohario. 

Prompted by these actual observations, I could 
not help taking a more contemplative, and extensive 
view of the inland navigation of these United States, 
from maps and the information of others, and could 
not but be struck with the immense extension and 
importance of it, and with the goodness of that Pro- 
vidence, which has dealt her favours to us with so 
profuse a hand. Would to God we may have wis- 
dom enough to make a good use of them. 1 shall 
not rest contented till 1 have explored the western 



23 

part of this country, and traversed those lines (or a 
great part of them) which have given bounds to a neW 
empire. But when it may, if it ever should happen, 
I dare not say, as my first attention must be given 
to the deranged situation of my private concerns, 
which are not a little injured by almost nine years 
absence, and total disregard of them. 

With every wish for your health and happiness, 
and with the most sincere and affectionate regard, 
I am, my dear Chevalier, 

Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS CHASTELLUX. 



Mount Vernon, Feb. 1, 1784. 

MY DEAR CHEVALIER, 

I HAVE had the honour to receive your favour 
of the 23d of August, from L'Orient, and hope this 
letter will find you in the circle of your friends at Pa- 
ris, well recovered from the fatigues of your inspec- 
tion of the frontiers of the kingdom. I am at length 
become a private citizen on the banks of the Poto- 
mac, where under my own vine, and my own fig- 
tree, free from the bustle of a camp, and the intrigues 
of a court, 1 shall view the busy world with calm 
indifference, and with serenity of mind, which the 
soldier in pursuit of glory, and the statesman, of a 
name, have not leisure to enjoy. I am not only re- 
tired from all public employments, but am retiring 



24 

within myself, and shall tread the private walks of 
life with heartfelt satisfaction. 

After seeing New- York evacuated by the British 
forces on the 25th of November, and civil govern- 
ment established in the city, I repaired to Congress, 
and surrendered all my powers, with my commission, 
into their hands, on the 23d of December, and arrived 
at this cottage the day before Christmas, where I 
have been close locked in frost and snow ever since. 

Mrs. Washington thanks you for your kind re- 
membrance of her, and prays you to accept her best 
wishes in return. With sentiments of pure and una- 
bated friendship, I am, my dear Chevalier, 

Your most affectionate 
And obedient Servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS CHASTELLUX. 



Mount Vernon, June 2, 1 784 

DEAR SIR, 

I HAD the honour to receive a letter from you by 
Major L'Enfort. My official letters to the Counts 
de Estaign and Rochatnbeau, (which I expect will 
be submitted to the members of the Society of Cin- 
cinnati in France) will inform you of the proceedings 
of the general meeting, held at Philadelphia on the 
3d ult. and of the reasons which induced a depar- 
ture from some of the original principles, and rules 
of the Society. As these have been detailed, I will 



25 

not repeat them, and as we have no occurrences out 
of the common course, except the establishment of 
two new States in the Western Territory, and the 
appointment of Mr. Jefferson (whose talents and 
worth are well known to you) as one of the commis- 
sioners for forming commercial treaties in Europe, I 
only repeat to you the assurances of my friendship, 
and express to you a wish that I could see you in the 
shade of those trees which my hands have planted, 
and which by their rapid growth, at once indicate a 
knowledge of my declination, and their willingness 
to spread their mantles over me, before I go hence to 
return no more; for this their gratitude, I will nur- 
ture them while I stay. 

B-efore I conclude, permit me to recommend CoL 
HuAnphreys, who is appointed Secretary to the Com- 
mifjsion, to your countenance and civilities, whilst he 
remains in France. He possesses an excellent heart 
and a good understanding. 

With every sentiment of esteem and regard, 
I am, my dear Chevalier, 

Your most affectionate Servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



4 



26 



Mount Vernon, Aug, 20, 1784. 

DEAR SIR, 

The Marquis de la Fayette, whom I had 
been looking for with the ejes of friendship and 
impatience, arrived here on Tuesday last, and pre- 
sented me your favour of the 16th June. 

I thank you, my dear Sir, for every testimony of 
your remembrance of me, and every fresh assurance 
you give me, of the continuation of your friendship, 
is pleasing; it serves (to borrow an Indian phrase) 
to brighten the chain, and to convince me that you 
will not suffer rust or moth to injure or impair it. 
We often talk of you, and though we wish in vain 
to have you of our party, we do not fail to drink 
your health at dinner every day. I will not give up 
the hope of seeing you at Mount Vernon before I 
quit the stage of human action. The idea would be 
too painful — I must indulge a contrary one. 

As I have no communications at this time, that 
are worthy of your attention, and a house full of 
company to claim mine, I shall, as the ship by which 
I write, has spread its canvas, only add new assu- 
rances of what I hope you were before convinced, 
that 

I am, with the greatest esteem and regard. 
My dear Sir, 
Your most obedient and 
Very humble servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



27 



Motmt Vernon, Sept 5, 1785. 

DEAR SIR, 

I AM your debtor for two letters; oite of the 
12th of December, the other of the 8th of April. 
Since the receipt of the first, I have paid my respects 
to you in a line or two by Major Swan, but as it 
was introductory only of him, it requires apology 
rather than entitles me to credit in our epistolary 
correspondence. 

If I had as good a knack, my dear Marquis, as 
you have, at saying handsome things, I would en- 
deavour to pay you in kind for the many flattering 
expressions of your letters, having an ample field to 
work in; but as I am a clumsy labourer in the manu- 
factory of compliments, I must first profess my un- 
worthiness of those which you have bestowed on me, 
and then conscious of my inability of meeting you 
upon that ground, confess that it is better not to 
enter the list than to retreat from it in disgrace. 

It gives me great pleasure to find by my last letters 
from France, that the dark clouds which overspread 
your hemisphere are yielding to the sunshine of 
peace. My first wish is to see the blessings of it 
diffused through all countries and among all ranks in 
every country, and that we should consider ourselves 
as the children of a common parent, and be disposed 
to acts of brotherly kindness towards one another. 
In that case restriction of trade would vanish. We 
should take your wines, your fruit and surplusage of 
such articles as our necessities or convenience might 
require, and in return give you our fish, our oil, our 



28 

tobacco, our naval stores, &:c.; and in like manner 
should exchange produce with other countries, to 
the reciprocal advantage of each; and as the globe 
is large, why need we wrangle for a small spot of 
it? If one country cannot contain us, another should 
open its arms to us; but these halcyon days (if they 
ever did exist) are now no more. A wise Provi- 
dence, I presume, has decreed it otherwise, and we 
shall be obliged to go on in the old way, disputing, 
and now and then fighting, until the great globe itself 
dissolves. 

I rarely go from home, but my friends in and out 
of Congress inform me of what is on the carpet; to 
hand it to you afterwards would be circuitous and 
idle; as I am persuaded that you have correspond- 
ents at New- York, who give them to you at first 
hand, and can relate them with more clearness and 
precision. I give the chief of my time to rural 
amusements, but I have lately been active in institu- 
ting a plan which, if success attends it, and of which 
I have no doubt, may be productive of great politi- 
cal, as well as commercial advantages to the States 
on the Atlantic, especially the middle ones. It is 
the improving and extending the inland navigations 
of the rivers Potowmac and James, and communica- 
ting them with the Western Waters, by the shortest 
and easiest portages, and good roads. Acts have 
passed the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland, 
authorizing private adventurers to undertake the 
work. Companies in consequence are incorporated, 
and that on this river is begun; but when we come 
to the difficult parts of it, we shall require an Engi- 
neer of skill and practical knowledge in this branch 



29 

of business, and from that country where these kinds 
of improvements have been conducted with the 
greatest success. 

With my greatest esteem and regard, 
I am, very dear Sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) CEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS CHASTELLUX. 



Mount Vernon, Aug. 8, 1786. 

MY DEAR MARQUIS, 

I CANNOT omit to seize the earliest occasion to 
acknowledge the receipt of the very affectionate let- 
ter you did me the honour to write to me on the 22d 
May, as well as to thank you for the present of your 
travels in America, and the translation of Col. Hum- 
phreys' poem, all of which came safe to hand by the 
same conveyance. 

Knowing as I did, the candour, liberality and phi- 
lanthrophy of the Marquis de Chastellux, I was 
prepared to disbelieve any imputations that might 
militate against those amiable qualities; for character 
and habits are not easily taken up, or suddenly laid 
aside. Nor does that mild species of philosophy, 
which aims at promoting human happiness, ever be- 
lie itself by deviating from the generous and godlike 
pursuit: having, notwithstanding, understood that 
some misrepresentations of the work in question had 
])een circulated; I was happy to learn, that you had 



30 

taken the most effectual method to put a stop to their 
circulation, by publishing a more ample and correct 
edition. Colonel Humphreys, (who spent some 
weeks at Mount Vernon) confirmed me in the senti- 
ment, by giving me a most flattering account of the 
whole performance. He has also put into my 
hands the translation of that part, in which you say 
such and so many handsome things of me, that (al- 
though no sceptic on ordinary occasions) I may per- 
haps be allowed to doubt whether your friendship 
and partiality have not in this one instance acquired 
an ascendancy over your cooler judgment. 

Having been thus unwarily, and I may be permit- 
ted to add, almost unavoidably betrayed into a kind 
of necessity to speak of myself, and not wishing to 
resume that subject, I choose to close it for ever, by 
observing, that as on the one hand I consider it as an 
indubitable mark of a mean-spiritedness and pitiful 
vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of 
man; so on the other, I believe it to be a proof of false 
modesty, or an unworthy affectation of humility, to 
appear altogether insensible to the commendations of 
the virtuous and enlightened part of our species. 

Perhaps nothing can excite more perfect harmony 
in the soul, than to have this spring vibrate in unison 
with the internal consciousness of rectitude in our 
intentions, and an humble hope of approbation from 
the Supreme Disposer of all things. 

I have communicated to Colonel Humphreys that 
paragraph of your letter which announces the favour- 
able reception his poem has met with in France. 
Upon the principles Ihave just laid down, he cannot 
be indifferent to the applauses of so enlightened a na- 



31 

tion, nor to the suffrages of the King and Queen, 
who have been pleased to honour it with their Royal 
approbation. 

We have no news on this side the Atlantic, worth 
the pains of sending across it. The country is re- 
covering rapidly from the ravages of war; the seeds 
of population are scattered far in the wilderness; 
agriculture is prosecuted with industry; the works 
of peace, such as opening rivers, building bridges, 
&c. are carried on with spirit; trade is not so success- 
ful as we could wish: our state governments are 
well administered; some objects in our federal go- 
vernment might perhaps be altered for the better. I 
rely much on the goodness of my countrymen, and 
trust that a superintending Providence will disap- 
point the hopes of our enemies. 

With sentiments of the sincerest friendship, 
I am, my dear Marquis, 
Your obedient and affectionate servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX. 



Mount Vernon, April 25, 178^. 

MY DEAR MARQUIS, 

In reading your very friendly and acceptable 
letter of the 21st December, 1787, which came to 
hand by the last mail, I was, as you may well sup- 
pose, not less delighted than surprised to come across 
the plain American word "my wife." A wife! well, 



32 

my dear Marquis, I can hardly refrain from smiling 
to find that you are caught at last. I saw by the 
eulogium you often made on the happiness of domes- 
tic life in America, that you had swallowed the bait, 
and that you would as surely be taken, (one day or 
other,) as you was a philosopher and a soldier. So 
your day has at length come: I am glad of it with 
all my heart and soul. It is quite good enough for 
you; now you are well served for coming to fight in 
favour of the American Rebels, all the way across the 
Atlantic Ocean, by catching that terrible contagion, 
which, like the small-pox, or the plague, a man can 
only have once in his life, because it lasts him, (at 
least with us in America — I don't know how you 
manage these matters in France,) for his life-time. 
And yet after all the maledictions you so richly me- 
rit on the subject, the worst wish I can find it in my 
heart to make against Madame de Chastellux and 
yourself is, that you may neither of you get the bet- 
ter of this same domestic felicity during the course 
of your mortal existence. If so wonderful an event 
should have occasioned me, my dear Marquis, to 
have written you in a strange style, you will under- 
stand me as clearly as if I had said, (what in plain 
English is the simple truth,) do me the justice to 
believe that I take a heartfelt interest in whatever 
concerns your happiness. And in this view I sin- 
cerely congratulate you on your auspicious matrimo- 
nial connexion. I am happy to find that Madame 
de Chastellux is so intimately connected with the 
Duchess of Orleans, as I have always understood 
that this noble lady was an illustrious pattern of con- 



33 

nubial love, as well as an excellent model of virtue 
in general. 

While you have been making love under the ban- 
ner of Hymen, the great personages of the North 
have been making war under the inspiration, or ra- 
ther infatuation, of Mars. Now, for my part, I 
humbly conceive, you had much the best and wisest 
of the bargain; for certainly it is more consonant to 
all the principles of reason and religion, (natural and 
revealed,) to replenish the earth with inhabitants, ra- 
ther than to depopulate it by killing those already in 
existence; besides, it is time for the age of knight- 
errantry, and mad heroism, to be at an end. Your 
young military men, who want to reap the harvest of 
laurels, don't care, I suppose, how many seeds of 
war are sown; but, for the sake of humanity, it is 
devoutly to be wished, that the manly employment 
of agriculture, and the humanizing benefits of com- 
merce, would supersede the waste of war, and the 
rage of conquest, that the swords might be turned 
into ploughshares, the spears into pruning-hooks, 
and, as the scripture expresses it, the nations learn 
war no more. 

I will now give you a little news from this side 
the Atlantic, and then finish. As for us, we are 
plodding on in the dull road of peace and politics. 
We who live in these ends of the earth only hear of 
the rumours of war, like the roar of distant thunder. 
It is to be hoped our remote local situation will pre- 
vent us from being swept into its vortex. 

The Constitution which was proposed by the 
Federal Convention, has been adopted by the States 

5 



34 

of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Jersey, Pennsylva- 
nia, Delaware and Georgia: no state has rejected it. 
The Convention of Maryland is now sitting, and will 
probably adopt it, as that of South-Carolina will do 
in May. The other Conventions will assemble early 
in the summer. Hitherto there has been much grea- 
ter unanimity in favour of the proposed government, 
than could have reasonably been expected. Should 
it be adopted, and I think it will be, America will 
lift up her head again, and in a few years become 
respectable among the nations. It is a flattering and 
consoling reflection that our rising republic has the 
good wishes of all the Philosophers, Patriots, and 
virtuous men in all nations, and that they look upon 
us as a kind of asylum for mankind. God grant 
that we may not be disappointed in our honest ex- 
pectations by our folly and perverseness! With sen- 
timents of the purest attachment and esteem, 
I have the honour to be. 

My dear Marquis, 
Your most obedient and humble Servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

MARQUIS CHASTELLUX. 



P. S. If the Duke de Lauzun is still with you, I 
beg you will thank him in my name, for his kind 
remembrance of me, and make my compliments to 
him. 

May 1st. Since writing the above, I have been fa- 
voured with a duplicate of your letter, in the hand- 
writing of a lady, and cannot close this without ac- 
knowledging my obligations to the flattering post- 



35 

script of the fair transcriber. In effect, my clear Mar- 
quis, the characters of this interpreter of your senti- 
ments, are so much fairer than those through which 
I have been accustomed to decipher them, that I al- 
ready consider myself as no small gainer by your 
matrimonial connexion, especially as I hope that 
your amiable amanuensis, will not forget at some 
times to add a few annotations of her own, to your 
original text. I have just received information that 
the Convention of Maryland has ratified the propo- 
sed Constitution, by a majority of 63 to 11. 



Note. The haste in which the copy in the Library was tran- 
scribed has caused some errors. 



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